Quiet Norfolk Man’s Legacy Fuels Young Engineers at Hethel
Quiet Norfolk Man’s Legacy Fuels Young Engineers at Hethel
A quiet Norfolk man with a love of classic cars is helping put the county’s young people on the fast track to success – 17 years after his death.
On Sunday, 21 September, the famous Lotus test track at Hethel hosted the second Greenpower Education Trust’s race heat this year, where schools from across Norfolk will compete with electric race cars they have designed and built.
The event was made possible thanks to the JP Blanch Fund, created from the auction of a remarkable vintage car collection discovered after JP Blanch’s death in 2008.
Blanch, a wheelwright by trade who lived his whole life in rural Norfolk, kept his passion largely to himself. But hidden across his property were vehicles dating back more than 80 years. The sale raised a sum that now supports young people to follow in his footsteps.
Since 2010, the fund has backed apprenticeships and hands-on engineering projects, including helping many Norfolk schools and community groups race at Hethel.
Alderman Peel High School took to the track with their two Greenpower kit cars purchased thanks to the fund. City Academy Norwich and Aylsham High School were also been awarded grants to upgrade their cars for next year’s race.
For Archie, a student at Alderman Peel, the project has already opened doors:
“One of the key things I put in my application [for work experience at Lotus] was my work building the Greenpower car. I’ve grown in confidence, learned how to lead a team, and improved my communication and organisation massively.”
The fund, available annually, is managed by Norfolk Community Foundation. Paul Birch, an engineer and panel member for the JP Blanch Fund, said:
“It’s brilliant to see young people getting hands-on with engineering, applying it in a fast-paced, real-world challenge. The creativity, problem-solving and teamwork these races inspire are exactly the skills they’ll need to take into the workplace.”
In the UK, there is an average of 10 unfilled science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles per business.
The Greenpower Education Trust is a charity that aims to get young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race electric race cars. Nationwide, they hold 30+ events each year, with 10,000 students taking part.
Barnabas Shelbourne, CEO of the Greenpower Education Trust, added:
“We are extremely grateful for the support from the JP Blanch Fund which has enabled schools to compete at a higher level and give more young people the opportunity to explore careers in engineering. JP Blanch’s passion for cars and craftsmanship is living on through every student who takes part in these races.”
When the flag dropped at Hethel on September 21, over 20 teams took part. One of the winning teams qualifying for the final was Alderman Peel High School. They will be joining the best teams from across the UK at Goodwood in October 2025, and will be racing their best thanks to an additional grant from the JP Blanch fund!
